Gardens of the Heart

Track Listings

1. Pastorale (1919, 1920) - Germaine Tailleferre

2. Jasmin - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre

3. Lavendin - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre

4. Volubilis - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) Germaine Tailleferre

5. Coquelicot - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre

6. Valse Lente (1954, 1963) - Germaine Tailleferre

7. D'un Jardin Clair (1914) - Lili Boulanger

8. D'un Vieux Jardin (1914) - Lili Boulanger

9. Notturno (1838) - Clara Schumann

10. Nocturne in B-flat Major (1852) - Maria Szymanowska

11. Reverie du Soir (1867) - Mme. Perraud de Caire

12. Nocturne (1989) - Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee

13. Etude No. 15 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian

14. Etude No. 18 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian

15. Etude No. 3 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian

16. Etude No. 16 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian

17. Abstract No. 7 "Floating Clouds" (1981) - Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee

18. Honey Bee - Mamie Williams

19. Peach Blossoms - Maude Gilmore

20. The Cabbage Rag - Bertha Stanfield

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
"Earth Voices," Fall, 2001
WOW! "Gardens of the Heart" speaks to the Soul! Exquisite compositions -- sensitive and musical playing! Unique and valuable!

Composer, Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee
"Gardens of the Heart" is played with wonderful spirit and understanding.

Album Description
"Gardens of the Heart" features Classical and Ragtime solo piano music about Nature composed by women. The music was researched and performed by Margot Dilmaghani, a graduate of Northwestern University's school of Music.

This CD was produced and underwritten to benefit NOFA, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, our country's oldest organic Farming group. NOFA is an organization of farmers, gardeners and consumers working to promote local organic food systems thru an Interstate Council and chapters in NJ,NY,CT.VT,RI, and MA. They certify farms, sponsor farm tours, mentoring programs, workshops, conferences, newsletters and support organic gardening programs in schools and prisons. NOFA receives $10 from the sale of each CD.

In a recent interview, Margot describes, "The first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, I was asked to play a chamber music composition at Northwestern University's chapel. A time of enormous turmoil on college campuses, it provided an Epiphany; illuminating the unique connection fine art provides between the Eternal and the material, the enduring and the ephemeral. Since then, I have combined my music with environmental efforts satisfying my musical soul and activist heart! I believe music can give us access to Divine mystery."

Selections for "Gardens of the Heart" took years of research and, I feel, represent the rich interior landscape of a woman's Soul: lyrical, contemplative and playful!

Gardens of the Heart

Gardens of the Heart, Music, Lili Boulanger, Clara Schumann, Maria Szymanowska, Mme. Perraud de Caire, Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee, Koharik Gazarossian, Mamie Williams, Maude Gilmore, Bertha Stanfield, Alma C. Breen, Carlotta Williamson, Bess Rudisill, Imogene Giles Germaine Tailleferre, Margot Dilmaghani

The Songs of Robert Burns / Songs of the Hebrides
Average customer rating:

Elegance in sound

Scottish Songs for a Lifetime

Simply exquisite!

Love and frustration

The Songs of Robert Burns / Songs of the Hebrides

Manufacturer: Dutton Labs UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Very Best of

The Tartan and Scottish Saturday Night

The Decca Years: 1955-1975

Kenneth Mckellar's Book of Hymns [Australia]

The Songs Of Robert Burns, Volumes 1 & 2

ASIN: B0006840KC
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Customer Reviews:

Elegance in sound.......2007-05-13

McKellar has one of the finest tenor voices I have heard. There is a range that is broad, while keeping a very masculine sound. I learned that he was trained classically and gave up opera after a season or two to do concert singing. These songs have lush or spare orchestral arrangements as the occasion demands. They are dramatic, even Hollywood-like, arrangements verging on schmalt, but a second hearing convinced me that he was among the finest tenors of the 20th century and the arrangements are "just right."

Scottish Songs for a Lifetime.......2007-05-12

If I was to be only able to carry one CD with me to a desert island, this one might be my choice. The poetry of Robert Burns is entirely inspiring. The vocal performance of McKellar is adequate to Burns' work. The orchestration is rich and appropriately simple. These songs will "stick to your ribs" and leave you longing for a visit to the old sod to personaly perceive the beloved ambiance they evoke.

Simply exquisite!.......2007-05-06

Who can sing like this today? Vocalion has done it again -- two of Kenneth McKellar's wonderful Decca recordings from 1961 and 1962 brought together for a wonderful vocal treat. There are things the lover of the English art song and ballad cannot be without -- Jennifer Vyvyan's lovely renditions of Michael Head's Foxgloves and Roger Quilter's Love's philosophy; Eileen Farrell's stentorian Sing to me by Sydney Homer; John Mark Ainsley's rhapsodic performance of Quilter's Go, Lovely Rose, and Kenneth McKellar singing Land of Heart's Desire, Sleeps the Noon in the Deep Blue Sky and Robert Burns' My love is like a red, red rose. Happily, these songs are preserved on this terrific release. McKellar had a wonderful, powerful and lyric tenor voice. His operatic and oratorio singing is moving on top of being very musical -- dynamics, portamento, etc., scrupulously observed and artistic; however, his sining of art songs, folk songs and ballads is exemplary and always, underscored ALWAYS moving and right on the mark. McKellar had a real affinity for this music and it simply erupts from the grooves (oops, I'm dating myself)!

The Songs of Robert Burns is lovely -- I defy anyone to listen to McKellar's rendition of My love is like a red, red rose, and come away without a tear in the eye. In my opinion, however, the true gem is the release of McKellar's Songs of the Hebrides. Vocalion includes McKellar's spoken introductions to these songs and it is incredible. One might think that it would sound trite, but McKellar is right on the mark and the introductions make the songs that much more memorable. Marjory Kennedy-Fraser is surely smiling down from heaven as this is the most beautiful and atmospheric recording of her Songs of the Hebrides. McKellar scales down his powerful voice for Land of Heart's Desire and it is ravishing. No one comes away unmoved. Again, who can sing like this today? I tried to think of any tenor or baritone singing today that could come close to this kind of a performance -- I could not think of one. Thank you Vocalion for bringing these performances back to light. Speaking of the recording, it is lush, with that beautiful early stereophonic sound preserved. For the lover's of the art song, ballad or folk song, you MUST have these performances.

Love and frustration.......2007-03-08

This recording has some wonderful Scottish songs by a super Scottish tenor. The difficult part for me is that I need the sheet music to go with one of the songs, but I had no luck locating it anywhere. There are other versions of the song ("My heart's in the highlands") available but none like this one. Is there any chance you could help me find it??

Sincerely,
Lyndall

Arleen Auger - Love Songs / Dalton Baldwin

Average customer rating:

Arleen Auger and Dalton Baldwin-Love Songs
Voice of experience
Auger at her best
Hidden Treasure
Gorgeous, sensitive music

Arleen Auger - Love Songs / Dalton Baldwin
Frank Bridge , Benjamin Britten , Pietro Cimara , Aaron Copland , Sir Noel Coward , Stefano Donaudy , Stephen Foster , Charles Gounod , Eduoard Lippe , Frederick Loewe , Gustav Mahler , Joseph Marx , Fernando J. Obradors , Jaime Ovalle , Francis Poulenc , Roger Quilter , Franz Schubert , Robert Schumann , Oscar Straus , Richard Strauss , Joaquin Turina , Dalton Baldwin , and Arleen Auger
Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

American Soprano
Arleen Auger - Handel · Bach Arias / The Mostly Mozart Orchestra · Gerard Schwarz
Stefano Donaudy: Amor mi fa cantare
Strauss: Ein Heldenleben - Four Last Songs / Auger, Previn
Old Friends

ASIN: B0000006VP
Release Date: 1992-05-22

Tracks:

Love Songs: Pastorale
Love Songs: Del Cabello mas sutil
Love Songs: Azulao
Love Songs: Standchen
Love Songs: Selige Nacht
Love Songs: Fleurs
Love Songs: Stornello
Love Songs: Music, When Soft Voice Die
Love Songs: Je t'aime
Love Songs: Love's Philosophy
Love Songs: Widmung
Love Songs: Du bist wie eine Blume
Love Songs: Das Rosenband
Love Songs: Liebst du um Schonheit
Love Songs: Cantares
Love Songs: How Do I Love Thee?
Love Songs: I'll Follow My Secret Heart
Love Songs: Serenade
Love Songs: Liebe Schwarmt auf allen Wegen
Love Songs: Love Went A-Riding
Love Songs: Why, No One to Love
Love Songs: O del mio amato ben
Love Songs: The Salley Gardens
Love Songs: Heart, We Will Forget Him
Love Songs: Before I Gaze at You Again

Customer Reviews:

Arleen Auger and Dalton Baldwin-Love Songs.......2007-01-29

A lovely collection -very varied. Arleen Auger has a beautiful voice and Baldwin's accompaniment is wonderful. The 3rd track, by Jayme Ovalle, is, as it says in the accompanying notes, bewitching, and is actually the reason I bought the CD.

Voice of experience.......2006-01-28

There isn't much I can add to the praise bestowed on this album by earlier reviewers. I do think though that a special poignancy is undeniable since Auger's voice, while still beautiful, clearly is not that of a young singer. Her maturity makes her interpretations of these love songs all the more touching. I've probably played this CD a dozen times through the years, far more than any other in my collection. It remains consistently and deeply satisfying.

Auger at her best.......2005-04-26

This is a disc that I recommend to my graduating seniors/graduate students who are pursuing a graduate degree or career options in Vocal Performance.
From the standpoint of technique, Auger is practically flawless---"harsh" is not a word I equate with Ms. Auger's singing. She and Dalton Baldwin are impeccable performers on this disc. All the material was wisely chosen and presented, including one of the slowest "O del mio amato ben's" and one of the slowest "Salley Gardens", indicative of the beautiful breath control this artist had. I have to take exception to one of the comments made by one reviewer, of the "lack of sesitivity to the music that most classical singers possess". This is plain ignorant. This reviewer clearly does not understand the great artistic endeavor that classical singers have to have with Song literature---only a non-singer could have said this. Our finest classical singers of memory have all been outstanding musicians. They also have texts to interpret in many languages. I, as a singer-performer-teacher take great umbrage at comments like this which serve only to degrade the richness of so much repertoire.
I too hated the untimely passing of this fabulous singer. She is one of four famous women singers who all died at the age of 53. I think this disc was recorded not to long before she passed away and does reflect her "goodbye" to her audience. However the disc will remain as timely as the repertoire in it.
Marcia M.Baldwin, Gig Harbor, WA.
Professor Emeritus, Eastman School of Music, Rochester,NY

Hidden Treasure.......2003-11-04

This recording is possibly one of the best examples of beautiful singing one will ever find. The repertoire, the artfulness, the line and the sheer beauty of Miss Auger's voice is a rare find. I've just recently purchased another copy as I loaned mine to a friend who begged to keep it! One note on the cover - this new cover art seems to imply this CD is some light version of 1970's Montovani romance music. Nothing could be further from the truth. Though the previous jacket (a photo of Miss Auger on pale pink) did look dated, I hope the next pressing of this (& I'm sure they'll be many more to come!) will give this collection the class packaging it deserves. This is a collector's item. Enjoy!!

Gorgeous, sensitive music.......2001-06-15

So first of all, ignore the cheesy cover art and album title. This is a beautiful collection of songs, beautifully performed. Since I concur with the other reviews that laud Auger's performance (though don't forget the accompanist Dalton Baldwin, who is also outstanding), I'll add only the comment that there is a certain melancholy surrounding a lot of the songs and performances that (a) I find haunting and appealing, and (b) you would never know simply from looking at the album.

Tracks:

Rejoice Greatly - Messiah
Piangero - Giulio Cesare
Care Selve - Atalanta
Let The Bright Seraphim - Samson
Lascia Ch'io pianga - Rinaldo
Ricetti Gramezza
Bist du bei mir
Weichet nur, betrubte Schatten
Sich uben im lieben
Blute nur
Ich will dir mein Herze schenken
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 For Soprano And Orchestra Of Violoncellos: Aria
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 For Soprano And Orchestra Of Violoncellos: Dansa
Pastorale
Del Cabello mas sutil
Azulao
Standchen
Selige Nacht
Fleurs
Stornello
Music, When Soft Voice Die
Je t'aime
Love's Philosophy
Widmung
Du bist wie eine Blume
Das Rosenband
Liebst du um Schonheit
Cantares
How Do I Love Thee?
I'll Follow My Secret Heart
Serenade
Liebe Schwarmt auf allen Wegen
Love Went A-Riding
Why, No One to Love
O del mio amato ben
The Salley Gardens
Heart, We Will Forget Him
Before I Gaze at You Again

Customer Reviews:

Pure Perfection .......2006-09-25

Words cannot express how much I adore these two discs, but here goes anyway. A friend gave me a burned copy 'Love Songs' which I lost and so I purchased this double disc set. Arleen is by far and away my favorite soprano of all time and if you end up owning these cd's, I have no doubt she will become yours as well. Arleen had the most gorgeous voice, a pure yet colorful tone. And her technique as demonstrated on these recordings was superb. If you are a singer as am I, you will not be able to ignore her phrasing on The Salley Gardens - it's truy astonishing. If you are in to doing side by side comparison, try listening to Arleen's version of O Del Mio Amato Ben, then listen to Sumi Jo's version. But be forewarned if you're a Sumi Jo fan, you won't be able to listen to her version ever again. Arleen wrings every bit of naked emotion out of that song without ever being cheesy or over the top. Her musical instinct and interpretation was as flawless as her voice and technique. I use these cd's as my personal master classes with an impeccable artist who was taken from us all much too soon.

Had a Freudian moment.......2005-08-12

Be it known, I had no intention of writing a review of this recording. I still do not in fact. But I listened to the late Ms. Auger's reading of 'Lascia chio pianga' and nearly seized (cigarette in hand and all.) I've yet to move beyond track five. That being documented, I implore both the fastidious collector of vocal music and the layman alike to purchase this set. Oh, and about the Freud...following the aforementioned revelatory aural sensation of some five minutes, I typed amazing.com in place of the amazon.com destination. "Behind every mishap in speech, writing, etc. there lies an unconcious motive..."
Well,

No Villa-Lobos.......2003-05-28

Since I purchased this album specifically for the recording of the Villa-Lobos, I am extremely disappointed that it was replaced by "He Shall Feed His Flock." She sings everything beautifully, but it is not the recording it pretends to be.

Be warned!.......2003-05-03

My copy did not have the works by Heitor Villa-Lobos. The first disk in the set is Delos 3026, "Bach, Handel: Arias," which includes two selections from Alexander's Feast and "He Shall Feed His Flock" from the Messiah. I am not disappointed. Ms. Auger sings wonderfully. My second disk is Delos 3029 "Love Songs," which makes it a good bargain. But there are no texts.

Unforgettable.......2002-05-16

After much auditioning and re-auditioning, Auger's "Rejoice" here has finally replaced Kathleen Battle's fine performance on "Grace" as my favorite.

Both singers are at their best in the repeat, where their technique and ornamentation will knock anyone's socks off. But where Battle does a musical and brilliant concerto-like display of Kathleen Battle, Auger instead serves Handel with overriding sincerity. She builds intensity to an incredible pitch, ending on an almost trumpet-like flourish to announce the coming of the King.

Tracks:

Overture - John Wills
Thro' All The Employments Of Life - Owen Brannigan
'Tis Woman That Seduces All Mankind - Alexander Young
If Love The Virgin's Heart Invade - Constance Shacklock
A Maid Is Like The Golden Ore - Constance Shacklock
Virgins Are Like The Fair Flower - Elsie Morison
Our Polly Is A Sad Slut - Constance Shacklock
Can Love Be Controlled By Advice? - Elsie Morison
O Polly, You Might Have Toy'd And Kiss'd - Elsie Morison
I Like A Ship In Storms Was Tossed - Elsie Morison
A Fox May Steal Your Hens, Sir - Owen Brannigan
O Ponder Well - Elsie Morison
Pretty Polly, Say - Elsie Morison
My Heart Was So Free - John Cameron
Were I Laid On Greenland's Coast - Elsie Morison
O What Pain It Is To Part - Elsie Morison
Fill Every Glass - Alexander Young
Let Us Take The Road - Alexander Young
If The Heart Of A Man - John Cameron
Youth's The Season - Dance - John Cameron
Before The Barn-Door Crowing - Dance - Anna Pollak
At The Tree I Shall Suffer - John Cameron
Man May Escape From Rope And Gun - John Cameron
App. 1. How Cruel Are The Traitors - Monica Sinclair
App. 3. When You Censure The Age - Owen Brannigan
How Happy Could I Be With Either - John Cameron
I'm Bubbled, I'm Bubbled - Monica Sinclair
Cease Your Funning - Elsie Morison
Melodrama: The Escape Of Macheath - John Wills

Tracks:

The Modes Of The Court So Common Are Grown - Alexander Young
In The Days Of My Youth - Owen Brannigan
Entrance Of Lucy - John Wills
I'm Like A Skiff On The Ocean Tost - Monica Sinclair
Come, Sweet Lass - Monica Sinclair
Hither, Dear Husband - Monica Sinclair
Which Way Shall I Turn Me? - John Cameron
The Charge Is Prepared - John Cameron
Macheath's Soliloquy - John Wills
Would I Might Be Hang'd - Monica Sinclair
Thus I Stand Like The Turk - John Cameron
Introduction - Don't You Find The Weather Charming? - Gilbert Vinter & His Orchestra
On A Januairy Morning In Zummerzetsheer - Nigel Brooks Chorus
West County Lad, What Is't Ye Lack? - Nigel Brooks Chorus
To-Day My Spinet, Closed And Idly Still - Cynthia Glover
Wisdom Says 'Festina Lente' - Shirley Minty
Madrigal: Here's A Paradox For Lovers - Shirley Minty
Dream O' Day Jill - Cynthia Glover
As All The Maids And I One Day - Shirley Minty
A Soldier's Scarlet Coat - Nigel Brooks Chorus
Love Maketh The Heart A Garden Fair - Cynthia Glover
Morris Dance - Gilbert Vinter & His Orchestra
Gavotte: Glass Of Fashion, Mould Of Form - Gilbert Vinter & His Orchestra
The Green Ribbon - Shirley Minty
If Love's Content Lie In The Spoken Word - Frederick Harvey
Recitative And Waltz Song: Which Is My Own True Self... - Cynthia Glover
Recitative And Waltz Song: For To-night Let Me Dream Out My Dream Of Delight - Cynthia Glover
Hark! The Merry Marriage Bells - Shirley Minty

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyably 'Inauthentic,' Authentically 1950s Version.......2005-05-14

By rights, this 1955 version of John Gay's much-adapted 1728 'ballad opera' should sound antiquated beyond redemption: the musical version used is Frederick Austin's well-worn, prettified (& verbally expurgated) 1920 arrangement, subjected to the indignity of being blown up from chamber ensemble to full orchestra; Sir Malcolm Sargeant's tempi are impossibly 'inauthentic' (ie. slow); there are numerous cuts even beyond Austin's omissions; & the 2 separate casts, of opera singers & actors, recorded in different months, are not always convincingly 'matched up.' Yet it's one of the most enjoyable recordings I know of.
A quick scan of the cast list(s) will tell you why: the singers include Elsie Morison, John Cameron, Monica Sinclair, Ian Wallace, Owen Brannigan & Alexander Young & the actors Zena Walker, John Neville, Rachel Roberts, Eric Porter & Paul Rogers. In other words, these are top pros & strong audio personalities who grab their every opportunity. The musical performance is sumptuous & sheer pleasure to listen to, the actors & dialogue 'production' brisk, funny & sharper than you might expect. And the sound for both music & dialogue is of demonstration quality, one of the best of the period.
Those who find this version too musically ponderous or dramatically reactionary can find antidotes in the Bare Baroque Basics one by Jeremy Barlow & The Broadside Band (Hyperion), word & note complete, & the radical & often inspired 1948 Benjamin Britten arrangement (complete on Argo, abridged with the original cast on Pearl). They'll be missing some good 50s fun, though.
They'll also be missing the only available excerpts (15 numbers) from Edward German's tuneful 1907 operetta 'Tom Jones.' This really IS 'cleaned up' 18th century, genteel beyond the call of duty, but for those who respond to musical theater of the period, highly recommended. The 1966 recording is lively & accomplished. As Miss Jean Brodie would say, For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like. And a good thing too.

Britten: Songs and Proverbs of William Blake / Vaughan Williams: Five Mystical Songs / McMillan

Average customer rating:

Britten: Songs and Proverbs of William Blake / Vaughan Williams: Five Mystical Songs / McMillan

Manufacturer: Marquis Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Proverb I The Pride Of The Peacock
London
Proverb II Prisons Are Built
The Chimney-Sweeper
Proverb III The Bird A Nest
A Poison Tree
Proverb IV Think In The Morning
The Tyger
Proverb V The Tygers Of Wrath
The Fly
Proverb VI The Hours Of Folly
Ah! Sun-flower!
Proverb VII To See A World
Every Night And Every Morning.
The Sally Gardens
The Plough Boy
Come You Not From Newcastle?
The Ash Grove
The Brisk Young Widow
Rolling In The Dew
Searching For The Lambs
How Cold The Wind Doth Blow ('The Unquiet Grave')
Easter
I Got Me Flowers
Love Bade Me Welcome
The Call
Antiphon

Song Cycles and Songs by Vaughan Williams, Warlock, Butterworth and Gurney

Average customer rating:

Song Cycles and Songs by Vaughan Williams, Warlock, Butterworth and Gurney

Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Songs by Roger Quilter

ASIN: B00005Q2X9
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Tracks:

The House Of Life: I. Love-Sight
The House Of Life: II. Silent Noon
The House Of Life: III. Love's Minstrels
The House Of Life: IV. Heart's Haven
The House Of Life: V. Death In Love
The House Of Life: VI. Love's Last Gift
Songs Of Travel: I. The Vagabond
Songs Of Travel: II. Let Beauty Awake
Songs Of Travel: III. The Roadside Fire
Songs Of Travel: IV. Youth And Love
Songs Of Travel: V. In Dreams
Songs Of Travel: VI. The Infinite Shining Heavens
Songs Of Travel: VII. Whither Must I Wander
Songs Of Travel: VIII. Bright Is The Ring Of Words
Songs Of Travel: IX. I Have Trod The Upward And The Downward Slope

Tracks:

The Land Of Lost Content: I. The Lent Killy
The Land Of Lost Content: II. Ladslove
The Land Of Lost Content: III. Goal And Wicket
The Land Of Lost Content: IV. The Vain Desire
The Land Of Lost Content: V. The Encounter
The Land Of Lost Content: VI. Epilogue
Down By The Salley
An Epitaph
Desire In Spring
Black Stitchel
A Shropshire Lad: I. Loveliest Of Trees
A Shropshire Lad: II. When I Was One-And-Twenty
A Shropshire Lad: III. Look Not In My Eyes
A Shropshire Lad: IV. Think No More, Lad
A Shropshire Lad: V. The Lads In Their Hundreds
A Shropshire Lad: VI. Is My Team Ploughing?
A Prayer To St. Anthony
The Sick Heart
My Own Country
Passing By
Pretty Ring Time

Average customer rating:

A Surprise from Transylvania

Bretan: My Lieder-Land

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004SDTW
Release Date: 2000-06-13

Tracks:

The Heart - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
I Will Return Home To My Village - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Cuckoo, Why Don't You Return? - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
At The Window On The Sea - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Lament Of The Plow - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
On The Hill Of Feleac - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Forget Your World - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
Above The Trees - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
At My Son's Cradle - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
The Reluctant Debt Prayer - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
Unsung Hungarian Summers - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
A Young Man's Outcry - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
In Luxemburg Gardens - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
Night Passage For Carts - Ludovic Konya/Martin Berkofsky
After Twenty Years - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Childhood - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Small-Town Autumn Sundays - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Silence - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
When Memories... - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Autumn Slipped Into Paris - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
Sleepy Little Birds - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss
And If Branches Beat Against The Window - Ludovic Konya/Ferdinand Weiss

Customer Reviews:

A Surprise from Transylvania.......2000-06-30

Nimbus Records are rumored to headquarter in the stones of an ancient castle: our curiosity leads us to wonder whether those historic blocks and their inhabitants are related in some most unnatural way to the Transylvanian treasures on this disc.

We have Nicolae Bretan-the Transylvanian composer of heart-rendingly beautiful melodies; the lyrics of the Old World's most soulful-Goga, Ady, Eminescu, Cosbuc, Eftimiu, Rilke; the superb singing and playing of Transylvania's baritone Ludovic Konya and pianist Ferdinand Weiss.

The cover and tray card tell us about the baritone and pianist, but the real surprise is within: once one looses the nails from the shrink-wrapped jewel-case/coffin, and crow-bars out the gothic-proportioned booklet from its crypt, one discovers that Nimbus have kept another pianist-Martin Berkofsky-prisoner in its dungeon.

Perhaps this Berkofsky is not allowed into the daylight, or worse, perhaps Nimbus have already dosed him with the requisite stake in the heart. Neverthess be Berkofsky one of the living or one of the living dead, his partnership (eight of the 22 tracks on this disc,) with Konya reaches those rare and sublime heights of truth to the composer.

Nimbus' crypt yields no biographical information of any of the performers and we wonder if they all are cursed to perpetual darkness.

Tracks:

Si tu voulais
A l'aime
The Nightingale and the Rose
When I Have Sung My Songs
When I Have Sung My Songs
Ave Maria
On Wings Of Dreams
Ave Maria
Plaisir d'amour
Jeune fillette
Beau soir
Bonjour, Suzon
La chevelure
Carmen-Carmela
El Mirar de la Maja
La partida
La Molinara: Nel cor piu non mi sento
Star vicino
'A Vucchella
Ideale
Marechiare
Fa la nana, bambin
Dicitencello vuje
Could I

Tracks:

Amadis: Bois espais
Rosemonde
Guitares et mandolines
From: 'Poem de l'amour et de la mer': Le temps des Lilas
Von ewiger Liebe, Op 43 No. 1
Mir traumte von einem Konigskind, Op. 4 No. 5
Erlkonig, Op. I
In questa tomba oscura
Rispetto
O del mio amato ben
Aprile
Amuri, amuri
I battitori di grano
Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes
The Night Wind
Homing
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Introduction And Announcement Of Lully's - 'Bois epais'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Persico's - 'Rosemonde'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Saint-Saens's - 'Guitares et mandolines'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Brahms's - 'Von ewiger Liebe'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Trunk's Mir - 'traumte von einem Konigskind'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Schubert's - 'Erlkonig'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Beethoven's - 'In questa tomba oscura'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Wolf-Ferrari's - 'Rispetto'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments ON Donaudy's - 'O del amato ben'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Tosti's - 'Aprile'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Sadero's - 'Amuri, amuri'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Sadero's - 'I battitori di grano'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On - 'Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On Farley's - 'The Night Wind'
Interview With Ruby Mercer: Comments On de Riego's - 'Homing And Concluding Remarks'

Tracks:

Le nozze di Figaro: Voi che sapete
Tre giorni son che Nina
An die Musik, Op. 88 No. 4
Der Tod und das Madchen, Op. 7 No. 3
Traume, No. 5 From ' Wesendonck Lieder'
Morgen!, Op. 27 No. 4
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, Op. 6 No. 6
L'invitation au voyage
Psyche
Tristesse eternelle
From 'Seven Popular Spanish Songs': Asturiana, No. 3
From 'Seven Popular Spanish Songs': Nana, No. 5
My Lovely Celia
In The Luxembourg Gardens
Angus Dei
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Se
Colombetta

Amazon.com

Legendary soprano Rosa Ponselle recalled these sessions taped by RCA in her Baltimore home as the only time she enjoyed making records. Fourteen years after her abrupt retirement from opera, her voluptuous instrument (ruby red in the '39 Victors and now tinged with purple) soars to better advantage in the amplitude of her spacious music room than within the cramped confines of the recording studio. Whether in Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy, Mozart, or Tosti songs, or chestnuts like "Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes," the vocalism is always informed by Ponselle's musical intelligence and sense of style. Romophone brings together all the material from these home sessions, including 75 minutes of music not issued by RCA, plus a promotional interview that reveals a warm, down-to-earth persona quite different from your typical diva stereotype. Ponselle fans need no encouragement to acquire this set. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Revealing.......2004-12-28

It must be remembered when approaching these recordings that we are not hearing the Ponselle of the Met singing her great roles, we are hearing the Ponselle of retirement, and a long retirement. She seems to have left her career right at its height, and for whatever reasons. She was not idle, but was active in the world of opera in other ways (including working with many now famous singers when they were students: Sherryl Milnes, Beverly Sills just to name two). She approached her music with the vibrancy of her time, which is often at odds with how we would sing such things today (the Mozart aria for Cherubino for example). However, even though we hear a voice that has now started to show wear, not from oversinging, but rather from not being used all that often and from age, we are not listening to someone who has "lost it all." Everything that made her great is still there for us to enjoy and wish we could experience. Her range is no longer seamless as it was during her active singing career (a thing she was noted for), but her legato is a wonder to behold, as it was during her most active singing years. It is no wonder that singing teacher tell students to listen to her recordings to learn what legato is all about (and as a result, Ponselle is one of the most immitated singers in history, but at no time has anyone ever captured her sound, her quality, her depth of tone, her ring, her anything; people may try to immitate the essence of her singing by copying what they hear -- even the great Maria Callas' interpretations in La Vesta sound like haunting echos of Ponselle -- but what was the depth of her interpretations or of her voice no one has ever come close to matching). Her chest notes are raw at times, but they do not ruin the music in any way. Her top notes (which always put terror into her heart, but for the life of me, after listening to all her recordings available, I cannot figure out why -- even after reading her story of why the High C in Aida scared her so much --- her high notes were extremely secure, even a high D flat in the trovatore arias, no strain is evident at any time, not ever!), well, her top notes are at time frayed and not centered as they were. Still, once again, that is not a bother. It is evident that at times she has to "work rather noticeably" to produce her top notes, but there again, we are not offended by what we hear.

What we do experience, and mostly because we have no arias from her great roles to listen to, is the Ponselle way with a song. She just seemed to embrace a song and make it her own. Her interpretation may be enjoyable to you, you may find other singers you like better, but her interpretation is NEVER common and without validity. Each piece is truly her own stamped completely with her emotional and vocal understanding of the text and the music.

That brings me to the diction part of the recording. Her RRRRRR (rolled R, or tongue trill by some) is very pronounced and now days may be seen as tasteless. However, it was the way things were sung then, and not just in Italian (even English actors rolled their R's beyond belief at that time). Personally, the well pronouced rolled R has never bothered me whatever, and in a way, I expect to hear it when singers are singing opera. It is so played down now days, one is sometimes completely unaware an R was even said. Ponselle's diction is incredible, and I don't just say that. Each and every word is completely understandable, even in English (which is crystle clear). It seems that was a common trait back in her day, for in many recordings of that time and earlier that I have the singers are exceptionally clear with their diction (even the Met manager, former singer, Edward Johnson is so clear while singing English -- a collection of Canadian songs -- one is stunned that the poor recordings quality didn't just eat up the words). Perhaps such singers as Renee Flemming and all the other greats of today should play some Ponselle recordings and learn what diction is all about.

These recordings, though made long after her retirement, are still a great testiment as to what she was like as a singer, for they give us all the greatness that was hers. It makes people like me, who were born after she retired (though quite a while before she died, as I remember her well on live from the met broadcasts on the radio Saturday afternoons) wish we could go back in time and hear some real singing.

In addition to the music, we have some interviews with Ruby Mercer, which are a real delight to listen to. No wonder people like Sills have nothing but great memories working with Ponselle. She is truly well grounded. She knows her contribution to the world of music for exactly what it is. There is no false modesty, nor is there any "high mindedness about self." We have a very down to earth person talking about things, even why she chose some of the music she did, in a very down to earth way.

I recommend the set to anyone who loves to hear great singing, even if it would have more appeal to collectors than average people. It is well recorded, and the sound is excellent. It is a treasure to have on any record shelf.

Villa Pace Recordings.......2003-05-15

This recording is a must for anyone who loves to hear art songs sung incredibly. Aside from Rosa Ponselle's voice being arguably one of the most beatiful, distictive, incredible sounding voices (so big that it was troublesome to record), the fact that she is also one of the greatest vocal artists in the world is also evident. Although most of the songs were recoreded when her voice wasn't as capable of stunning high high C's (there wasn't any Aida aria's on this one), her musicality, ability to act with her voice, and her use of language is breath-taking. Especially nice, is her french, it's so clear and clean, yet doesn't sound constricted or bothersome. The best track is the second lower version of "When I have sung my Songs". It is truly phenomenal, and her singing of this piece is a true testament to what this woman was capable of. Also her "o del mio amato ben" some of the most dramatically genuine singing I 've heard. Buy this CD if you want to hear some real singing and one of the greatest voices of the 20th century.

Average customer rating:

Gardens of the Heart

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005TNS6
Release Date: 2001-09-24

Tracks:

Pastorale (1919, 1920) - Germaine Tailleferre
Jasmin - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre
Lavendin - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre
Volubilis - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) Germaine Tailleferre
Coquelicot - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre
Valse Lente (1954, 1963) - Germaine Tailleferre
D'un Jardin Clair (1914) - Lili Boulanger
D'un Vieux Jardin (1914) - Lili Boulanger
Notturno (1838) - Clara Schumann
Nocturne in B-flat Major (1852) - Maria Szymanowska
Reverie du Soir (1867) - Mme. Perraud de Caire
Nocturne (1989) - Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee
Etude No. 15 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
Etude No. 18 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
Etude No. 3 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
Etude No. 16 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
Abstract No. 7 "Floating Clouds" (1981) - Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee
Honey Bee - Mamie Williams
Peach Blossoms - Maude Gilmore
The Cabbage Rag - Bertha Stanfield
Fire Fly - Alma C. Breen
Wild Flower - Carlotta Williamson
Burning Rags - Bess Rudisill
Red Peppers - Imogene Giles

Album Description

"Gardens of the Heart" features Classical and Ragtime solo piano music about Nature composed by women. The music was researched and performed by Margot Dilmaghani, a graduate of Northwestern University's school of Music.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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Pop Music pop-music-24

1. Pastorale (1919, 1920) - Germaine Tailleferre
2. Jasmin - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre
3. Lavendin - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre
4. Volubilis - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) Germaine Tailleferre
5. Coquelicot - from "Fleurs de France" (1930, 1962) - Germaine Tailleferre
6. Valse Lente (1954, 1963) - Germaine Tailleferre
7. D'un Jardin Clair (1914) - Lili Boulanger
8. D'un Vieux Jardin (1914) - Lili Boulanger
9. Notturno (1838) - Clara Schumann
10. Nocturne in B-flat Major (1852) - Maria Szymanowska
11. Reverie du Soir (1867) - Mme. Perraud de Caire
12. Nocturne (1989) - Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee
13. Etude No. 15 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
14. Etude No. 18 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
15. Etude No. 3 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
16. Etude No. 16 from "Vingt Quatre Etudes pour Piano" (1958) - Koharik Gazarossian
17. Abstract No. 7 "Floating Clouds" (1981) - Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee
18. Honey Bee - Mamie Williams
19. Peach Blossoms - Maude Gilmore
20. The Cabbage Rag - Bertha Stanfield